View full sizeNICOLE DUNGCA/THE OREGONIANLake Oswego High School students will not have access to the school's front entrance and library for about a month because of repairs on the $35 million school's roof, which began leaking not long after the school opened in 2005.

Ongoing construction will likely keep Lake Oswego High School students out of their library and main entrance until October, according to the district.

Because of repairs related to a leaky roof, students had to use side entrances and did not have access to the library when they returned to classes this week.

At about $2.9 million, the repairs have cost significantly more than expected -- early estimates ranged from $200,000 to $600,000.

The project kept construction workers busy throughout the summer, as well as the district's lawyers: The district is in litigation with the parties involved with the design and construction of the $35 million high school, which opened in 2005.

In one suit against LSW Architects of Portland and Vancouver, the district says the architectural firm furnished plans that were not sufficiently detailed, among other things.

In another lawsuit against Robinson Construction Co. of Hillsboro, the district says construction defects helped lead to the water intrusion, according to the district's finance director, Stuart Ketzler. The district is seeking the cost of repairs, as well as associated costs.

Because of the construction, teachers were not allowed to return to the building as early as they usually have, said Superintendent Bill Korach. But the district made sure the construction would not push back the date for students' return and won't affect classes, he said.

"As long as our classrooms are operable and as long as we can provide safe access and movement for students, we can operate the buildings," Korach said.

A number of students are indifferent to the work, said junior Bonnie Fox, 16.

Fox did note that some students were disappointed the construction wasn't more intrusive: "Most kids were happy because (they thought) it would delay school starting, but the district planned too carefully."